The Padres are listening on Dylan Cease, which inspired calls from most of the AL East — the Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays and Rays — as well as the Mets and Cubs.

But as a buyer, it won’t be easy for San Diego to do that trade without diminishing its 2025 team.

One possibility: trade the prospects received for a different starter.

The Padres hope Michael King can return around Aug. 10. They love Jarren Duran and have heavily scouted him since May.